Pumpkin Run Pulse

​I love the opportunities to share information that makes a difference in good ways, especially when it comes to showcasing weeds for lunch, or dinner, or as a snack, or in a tea, jelly ... however they can be used as food.

Not long ago, a few of my junior friends were visiting. While hanging out on the front porch, sipping herbal tea, the oldest, J., told his younger sibs that that dandelions can be food. He even headed out into the yard to show them what he meant and began to pick some for snacking. They followed suit. He also showed them how to pick and eat the pretty violets.

​While on their front-lawn foraging expedition, he also found some new green leaves peeking through the graveled walk way. He bent down, pulled off a small leaf, smelled it and announced that the cilantro was up. He was right. It is.

Cilantro & Chickweed debut...

Back at their house is a medium-sized pot that serves as the home of a slender, green plant. The three youngest (same family) planted it months ago from the bottom of a celery stalk their mama gave them.

They’ve been so excited to show it to me when I’ve visited and last time I saw it, it was doing great.

Mind you, one of the youngers has exhibited an impressive war on veggies. But, he’s one of the first to volunteer when there’s an adventure afoot, and that day, one of the adventures was simple foraging for flowers in the lawn and learning from his big brother how to pick and eat them them.

When he (the younger) and I are hanging out, I get a free refreshing on my floral-foraging education. Works for me. I’m loving that he knows it. That he’s excited to share what he knows and that he learned it from his brother.

Ramsey, my lavender plant, waking up for spring.

​My consistent reminding his big brother of, “Monkey see-monkey do,” is justified with a great example.

Big brother doesn’t only forage for dandelions, violets and cilantro. During visits, he also checks for the little wild strawberries and signs of new fruit on the blackberry bush.

Won’t be long before he’ll be picking small needled leaves off of Ramsey, my lavender plant gifted to me for my birthday last year. He loves to rub the leaves he picks between his hands to get the spicy and relaxing fragrance they produce to scent his skin.

Dandelions

The juniors would likely have more fun hunting for diamonds in a stream bed. But, we don’t have a stream bed in the front lawn and they seemed pretty happy to be hunting and capturing dandelions and violets instead.​​

Violets

​Just sayin’, presentation matters when it comes to kids turning adventures with weeds into dinner.

I love that photograph of the dandelions especially - some say weed, I say flower... ;) And yes, presentation is key!

Love ya and hope you're having a great weekend, mar

Reply

Angelia (femmeflashpoint)

4/24/2017 08:50:21 am

Prof. Mahreer,

It's so fun to see information we share being remembered, used and passed along to others,especially when it's good information.

I'm hoping the adventures in foraging will lead to a love for gardening, even if it's on a small scale.

Thx for the visit and comment!

Reply

Vicki

4/24/2017 08:20:01 am

I've always liked foraging for different plant taste experiences. Who needs a formal salad when you can find so many delicious nibbles in the wild plant world? It is a good idea though to guide young folks to the best ones, as you've done. Great teaching experience, and your photos capture the delightful attraction of those edible plants!

Reply

Angelia (femmeflashpoint)

4/24/2017 08:54:27 am

Vicki,

There are the ones easiest to spot this time of year and are abundant enough to use in three meals a day.

Won't be long before we have enough cilantro and dill growing to make Pond Water Tea with. It's one of J's fav beverages.

Thanks for the visit and comment!

Reply

Leave a Reply.

flashPress is a totally free site, but, if you like it and would like to leave a tip, I'll surely put it to good use on things like food, clothes, fuel for my auto, soap to shower with, etc. I think those qualify for seriously good use. ☺

Thanks for your support of the indie biz community--Live long and prosper!

Tipping made easy!

1.Click eitherPayPal or BitCoin2.Select friends or family option3.Issue to femmeflashpoint@gmail.com